Rambling Man's Reviews

 Words by Anselm Anderson Bristol's rock quartet Oswald Slain, formerly known as Little Chief, has released a new single titled "Ugly," which is part of the upcoming album "Kiss Me on the Mouth," expected to be released in April 2025. The band blends Americana with blues rhythms and energetic rock grooves, influenced by Neil Young and The Band. They tell stories with a quirky sense of humour and a reflective stance. "Ugly" is one such tale, inspired by the 1997 film Boogie Nights , which looks behind the scenes of the 70's adult film indust ry. The song tells the story of seeing the ugly side of the industry. Lead vocalist Charlie Fitzgerald takes on the sleazy lead with his strong, nasal vocals, complemented by the rousing rhythms of fuzzy guitars. The drum's steady beats help enhance the sound and give a 70's edge. The song's provocative lyrics add to the intrigue and enjoyment. Photo courtesy of GLK Media Oswald Slain was born out of...

  Words by Anselm Anderson Punk tri o Lilith's Army celebrates signing with Independent Labe l Criminal Records, releasing their latest LP, on March 28th. Hailing from Northampton, England, the trio comprises vocalist/guitarist Sylvie Studente, bassist Tommy Mayo, and drummer Steve Sherwood. They blend lo-fi punk with grunge and metal, citing influences from L7 and Nirvana. "Doll" features 13 tracks of new material and re-recordings of previous releases. The album has a fresh, boisterous sound, boasting catchy pop-punk choruses and edgy riffs told from a personal perspective on heartbreak, social anxieties, and mental health. Lillith's Army aims to provide an alternative to the punk scene. The trio developed a strong fanbase over the years after a guest slot at the highly sought-after Glastonbury Festival, with support from Total Rock and Kerrang!  Let's get on with the review! The tongue-in-cheek song "Eat My TV" kicks off with a jab at social media ...

Photo courtesy of Karen Rew BENEDICTION RELEASES VIDEO FOR NEWEST SINGLE, 'ENGINES OF WAR' + ALBUM PRE-ORDER FOR RAVAGE OF EMPIRES STARTS TODAY Transcribed by Anselm Anderson Legendary British death metal band Benediction is back with a new single from their upcoming album, "Ravage of Empires." Today, they released the powerful track "Engines of War." On April 4th, they will launch the follow-up to their 2020 comeback album, "Scriptures," via Nuclear Blast Records. The album will feature the iconic growls of vocalist Dave Ingram, set against pummeling riffs and grooves. As of today, "Ravage of Empires" is available for pre-order on CD, LP, and as a digital album. More information on the physical formats is provided below. BENEDICTION has released a new music video today, shot by Martin Goltermann. PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE RAVAGE OF EMPIRES: https://benediction.bfan.link/ravage-of-empires STREAM 'ENGINES OF WAR': https://benediction.bfan...

Art Coverwork, courtesy of Naomi Randall Words by Anselm Anderson Rambling Man's Reviews has recently embraced a Blues revival, featuring rising stars. Amongst the talented guitarists and bands, RJ Archer and the Painful Memories stand out with their ability to blend old traditional blues with modern values.   This past Friday, The quartet released "The Cost of a Loving Crisis", their third studio album. These ten personal songs are packed into half an hour of modern rock, mixed with country, blues and soul. Produced by Naomi Randall at Half Tom Studios in Cambridge, England, she captures each song with a pitch-perfect ear. The vibrant vocals of RJ Archer are complemented by an explosion of tasty guitar licks and a tight rhythm section, resulting in a compelling listening experience. The band had to adjust with Marc Ritchie replacing Ben Kingsbury on drums, while Kingsbury moved to the position of second guitarist. The inclusion of guest musicians further enhances the alb...

Photo Courtesy of Sally Newhouse Edited by Anselm Anderson Chilean-born and London-based guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Miguel Montalban has announced that his band,  Miguel Montalban & The Southern Vulture s, will tour the UK this March. The seven-date excursions will commence on 22nd March 2025 at Cart & Horses, Stratford, London (The Birthplace of Iron Maiden). They will then visit Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham , Y Muni Arts Centre in  Pontypridd, Old Woolle n in Leeds, Pontardawe Arts Centre, Red Lion in Gravesend and Acapela Studio in Cardiff, Wales.  Full tour details and ticket links are below  Miguel Montalban comments on the 2025 UK Tour: “"I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I’ll be touring the UK in 2025, playing at some incredible, cosy venues that will make every moment unforgettable! Don’t miss out—grab your tickets now and let’s create magical memories together. I’m counting down the days and can’t wait to share this amazi...

  Words by Anselm Anderson Nuclear Blast Records continues its excellent run of releases today with "Overdriver," the ninth studio album from the Swedish quintet The Hellacopters.  The follow-up to 2022's comeback album "Eyes of Oblivion" is a guitar-centred eleven-tracker that clocks in at forty minutes. The album was entirely produced by guitarist/vocalist Nicke Andersson at Strawberry Studio and The Honk Palace.  The album has a personal touch that reflects the effort put into bringing these tracks to life. The blend of anthemic choruses and punchy guitar riffs harkens back to classic rock artists of the 1970s. Additionally, the combination of blues elements and powerful lyrics creates a dynamic and rich rock sound. The Hellacopters have been making music for 30 years, and were formed in 1994 by ex-Entombed drummer Nicke Andersson and guitarist Dregen. Initially started as a side project, they quickly became a beloved part of Sweden's hard rock revival....

Photo Credit: Slywia Marks and Christian Martin Weiss Extreme metal giants BEHEMOTH have revealed details and artwork for their upcoming new album, the pleasantly- named  'The Shit Ov God' which is due to be released on May 9th via Nuclear Blast Records .  The title track enjoyed it's premiere last night, courtesy of Youtube. You can watch the video below The painted faces of Behemoth promise their most controversial release in their 34 years of existence with the inflammatory eight-tracker "The Shit ov God". The thriteenth studio effort touches on the subjects of humanity and it's relationship with divinity, notably, what defiance means between individuality and the ones they worship.. Musically, politically, or otherwise. The title of the album is in line with those sensibilities. The polarizing figure of founder and frontman Nergal, says of the title "We chose this provocative title deliberately, rejecting subtlety in favour of a direct and polarizin...